Strategic Partnering Manager

Building a strong Commercial Function in Government, and with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of Civil Service reform.

We are building a cadre of commercial talent in all Government departments; people who can manage our commercial portfolios, who can lead our most complex and novel programmes and projects, people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside our policy and operational leaders to develop innovative commercial arrangements, whether through joint ventures, outsourcing or best-in-class contracts.

The Government Commercial Organisation is an employer which is truly committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and are able to perform to their potential. We understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and strive for a workplace that reflects the communities which we serve. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with a disability and candidates with gender-diverse identities. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We have already made significant progress through the establishment of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but based in our MOD commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

You will be helping lead a high-profile strategic improvement programme. There are two aspects to the SPP, both of which directly support the delivery of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy.

• Aligning strategy between MOD and strategic suppliers to help ensure the UK has long term access to nationally important defence industrial capabilities. You will use your knowledge in this area to help MOD shape markets.
• Driving increased value from our strategic supplier relationships, through improving the delivery of current programmes.

Our work is overseen by a Director General level Steering Group. 

You will work alongside and in support of the Director General and Director community across Defence (Head Office, Front Line Commands, Defence Equipment & Support, the Submarine Delivery Agency, Defence Digital and Dstl).

You will cultivate trusted and influential relationships with industry staff at CEO / MD level (UK and overall HQ where relevant) and their supporting executives.

You will work across government to ensure MOD’s position on high priority issues relating to strategic suppliers are understood. 

This role is for someone who is good at building credible relationships, has great commercial instincts, an ability to drive change and the ability to assess evidence to from a balanced view of a supplier and industry partner.

You will work closely with our team of Strategic Partnering Managers who will offer support and guidance. The team also have access to supply chain monitoring and analysis tool sets, which you will be able to draw on.

• Applicants must have CIPS / MCIPS level 6 or be willing to work towards obtaining it within 1 year of taking up the position.

• Develop an in-depth knowledge of strategic supplier(s) within the defence supply-chain
• Provide briefing and strategic insights on suppliers and markets to customers across MOD (up to and including MOD Ministers)
• Prepare and hold One MOD Event(s) to agree the key MOD priorities towards that supplier
• Prepare and hold Partnering Executive Meetings with the supplier, which act as the board that sets the vision for the relationship and the priorities for strategic alignment and delivery improvement on current programmes
• Establish and run workstreams with teams from the MOD and supplier to implement these priorities. In doing so drive the delivery of benefits to the Armed Forces (such as reducing cost, accelerating delivery of new military capability or improving the availability in in service capabilities)

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Risk Mindset – Ability to analyse commercial risks and understand margins of error in developing recommendations for Customers and/or key stakeholders to ensure that the value is not lost
• Manages Complexity – Experience of having had a leading role in complex commercial activities, with demonstrable experience across the commercial life cycle and a problem-solving mindset
• Commercial Focus – A track record of delivery in challenging commercial environments, embedding continuous improvement and shaping supplier markets
• Resilient – The ability to constructively and collaboratively challenge senior stakeholder decisions, work under pressure, and deliver multiple projects within agreed timescales
• Builds Relationships – An experienced and successful leader, with outstanding relationship building and stakeholder management capabilities with suppliers, clients and colleagues alike

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

For existing Civil Servants:  For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack.  Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers. 

Job contact :

• Name : Sean Kelly
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk